VIDEO: 9-6-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: When Character Counts”

 As we worship together "from house to house," we thank our Heavenly Father for the blessing of enjoying a holiday weekend in the manner we choose.  Our freedom is a gift from You.  We utilize our gifts to honor You.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: When Character Counts.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read Galatians‬ ‭5:1‬a ‭NIV‬‬, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, as we enjoy our freedom in Christ, we recognize that our freedom is meaningless without the power of your Holy Spirit in our lives.  We are grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus that sets us free, but we remain thankful for your guidance and empowerment that allows us to live above our base nature.  Thank you for your freedom in Christ and slavery to righteousness through the Spirit.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for the sick and the shut in.  Pray for those who have had their health impacted by COVID-19.  Pray for our example as freed persons in Christ.  

MESSAGE

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. 

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:13-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Choose one person to “serve humbly in love."  Pick someone who is difficult to serve.  Demonstrate your freedom by choosing to show them love.  

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video